Fran Brown addressed that and more following Monday's practice as the Orange get ready for the Sept. 5 opener.
The Syracuse football program began its third week of preseason training camp on Monday in preparation for the Sept. 5 season opener against New Hampshire.
While there is some optimism surrounding this group, one of the biggest questions remains where the Orange will get playmakers from on offense, especially with Calvin Russell III out with a torn Achilles.
But perhaps that group is about to get some additional answers. For the last two years, wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons had been part of the program, and now after a ruling from a Colorado judge, Ross-Simmons may be eligible to return the Orange team this upcoming season.
Head coach Fran Brown addressed the situation following Monday's practice.
What did Fran Brown say about Justus Ross-Simmons
Brown said this in regards to the future of Ross-Simmons:
"He is in the process. We are trying to just see what is the best thing to help our football team and how that works out with our school. ... just weighing our options out."
Brown was asked again about the status of Ross-Simmons and added:
"..We are just trying to see if that's something that is possible. And it would help with the football team but there are just some things we have to figure out from the student-athlete stand point."
Brown was asked about a potential timeline on Ross-Simmons and did not offer one.
About Justus Ross-Simmons
Ross-Simmons, originally from Rochester, N.Y., played his final high school season in California. In four total seasons at the FBS level, Ross-Simmons has posted 100 catches for 1,662 yards and 13 touchdowns.. In his first two seasons, Ross-Simmons played for Colorado State before transferring to Syracuse.
During his two-year tenure in Central New York, the 6-foot-3 pass catcher totaled 29 catches, 514 yards and seven touchdowns. The Orange were 3-9 last season but are looking for a major gain this season.
What do the next two weeks look like for Syracuse football?
The Orange will hold two more practices this week that are open to the media. Tuesday and Thursday are the next available days for media to attend practice before a combination of closed practices and off days combine for the rest of the week.
The week of Aug. 24 marks the final week of the training camp portion of the practice schedule. Aug. 28 is the last scheduled media availability during the training camp window. On Aug. 31, the team transitions into in-season game week preparation.
